Past Projects

	Large Molecule Spectroscopy We aim to collect a rotationally-resolved, cold, gas-phase spectrum of the infrared allowed vibrational band of buckminsterfullerene at ~8.4 micron (1185 cm^-1).
	Supersonic Expansion Discharge Source We are developing and characterizing a source of rotationally cold ions that couples a modulated DC discharge with a continuous supersonic expansion. This source will be used to acquire the vibrational spectra of astronomically important molecular ions.
	Chemical Physics of H₃⁺ H₃⁺ is one of the most important ions in intersteallar chemistry. We study the nuclear spin dependence of the chemical physics of H₃⁺, both its dissociative recombination rate and its reaction with H₂.
	SCRIBES SCRIBES (Sensitive, Cooled, Resolved Ion BEam Spectroscopy) is a novel technique being developed in the McCall lab to acquire high-resolution vibrational spectra of astronomically important ions.
	Raman Laser Development We have performed measurements of the refractive index of solid para-hydrogen, and are using these measurements to develop a solid hydrogen Raman laser.

Past Astronomy Projects

	Diffuse Interstellar Bands Our group is working to solve the mystery of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands, a series of visible absorption lines that has been unidentified for 90 years.
	Astrochemistry of H₃⁺ Our group uses astronomical observations of H₃⁺ to constrain the cosmic ray ionization rate in diffuse clouds.
	New Interstellar Molecules A major motivation for the group's research is the discovery of new interstellar molecules. We want to use these molecules as probes of astrophysical conditions.